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CAST Pilot Projects and Centers of Excellence
Contact CAST

Interested in learning more about how you can be involved in a CAST Pilot or be part of a CAST Piloting Centers of Excellence?

Contact Majd Alwan, Ph.D
Director
202-508-9463
malwan@agingtech.org





Advancing pilot studies with aging services technologies is an essential element of unleashing technology's potential to transform aging. That's why CAST is facilitating partnerships among providers, companies and universities to establish technology pilots and Centers of Excellence.

These centers will conduct scientific studies and obtain evidence-based data to determine how technologies could improve seniors' quality of care and life, improve circumstances for caregivers, increase reimbursement levels and/or reduce the individuals' care costs.

The pilot studies will also focus on technologies with strong potential to maximize independence and improve care. These technologies include telehealth, monitoring and medication dispensing systems, and electronic or personal health records. Results from the studies will be published and publicized.

CAST can help you conduct a credible and objective evaluation that brings your work with pilot projects into the spotlight. These pilot studies will also help CAST bring the right technologies to people who need them by driving desired policy changes and removing barriers to widespread adoption.

Pilot Project Case Studies

Several CAST members are already working with companies and universities to conduct pilot studies and learn how technologies can transform the care and services they offer to older adults. Read these case studies to explore the challenges, benefits and opportunities technology can offer organizations like yours.
    Asbury Case Study
    Ecumen Case Study
    Elant Case Study
    Eskaton Cast Study
    Eskaton/Dakim Case Study
    Eskaton/Intel Case Study
    Lutheran Homes of Michigan Case Study
    Selfhelp Case Study
Frequently Asked Questions

What are CAST Pilots and Piloting Centers of Excellence?
CAST Pilots and Piloting Centers of Excellence are collaborative initiatives established among aging-services providers and company or university entities that will conduct scientific studies and obtain evidence-based data in accordance with CAST established Standards for applied outcome research to expedite the proliferation of technologies that meet the needs of older adults and those who care for them. The Piloting Centers of Excellence will:
  • Assess the technologies' impact on different stakeholders
  • Refine technologies to address the users', including standardization and interoperability
  • Explore and evaluate eldercare service delivery models based on the technology-enabled care vision
The standards include the ability to publish the results, make them publicly available, use them in advocacy effort, as well as conducting the research under legal and ethical guidelines.

What is the difference between a CAST Plot and a Piloting Center of Excellence? A CAST Pilot is a collaborative effort for conducting a single pilot evaluation of technology. A CAST Piloting Center of Excellence is a longer-term commitment to the evaluation of multiple technologies in different settings that span over a number of years. Centers of Excellence represent significant commitment to quality, technology vision, and leadership in the filed and require much more significant resources, including human and financial.

What are the goals of the CAST Pilots and Centers of Excellence?
The CAST Pilots and Centers of Excellence aim to accelerate the development, adoption and proliferation cycle of technological products that will enhance older adults' quality of care and life through outcome evaluation of these technologies in the field.

What is CAST's role in the Pilots and Centers of Excellence?
CAST will help match providers, companies, and universities based on the organizations' needs, goals, and available resources. The CAST director, a Ph.D. researcher, will serve as an advisor and will participate in the study design and the selection of outcomes, and assessment evaluation instruments to help ensure credibility and objectivity. CAST may also use other resources available to it if needed. CAST can also assist in technology selection, consideration of ethical research issues and data analysis research support. CAST will dissemination and publicize the results, and use them to advance the CAST mission through advocacy.

What are the types of technologies that may be studied?
Current products or working technology prototypes in advanced stages of development will be considered. Technologies with a strong potential to improve the lives of seniors are of particular interest. Some of the technology categories include: wander management systems, tele-health and telemedicine systems, medication compliance and monitoring systems, fall detection systems, fall prevention technologies, personal emergency response systems, pressure ulcer prevention technologies, wellness monitoring systems, electronic health records, personal health records, charge capture system, assistive technologies and wellness monitoring systems.

How are the Pilots and Center of Excellence funded?
Funding will be derived from the provider, company, and university entities participating in the effort; CAST will help leverage these resources to obtain quality objective outcomes. Pilot proposals that will not be financially supported by the proposing party may take longer to match. In this case, grants may serve as a source of funding as available. We strongly recommend seeking grant opportunities with local, state and federal sources including foundations before submitting the request to CAST. Information about potential grant funding is available on the grant opportunities page.

How can my organization get involved?
Complete the interest form below and return it to CAST. If you already have a pilot partner and are planning a study, contact CAST directly before completing the form.

CAST Pilots and Centers of Excellence Interest Form

Please complete this brief questionnaire if you would like to work with CAST on a Pilot or be part of a CAST Piloting Centers of Excellence.

E-mail: malwan@agingtech.org
Fax: 202-783-2255

Contact

For additional inquiries, please contact Majd Alwan.

Majd Alwan, Ph.D
Director
202-508-9463
malwan@agingtech.org

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